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Looking the part when he toes the rubber, the 23-year-old Mapes has the physical build and delivery to pitch as a starting pitcher. Mapes is listed at 6-2 205lbs owning a physique more resembling an NFL strong safety, with broad shoulders and powerful legs. He has a relatively simple, compact delivery that he repeats consistently and provides some deception to the batter. He throws from a high three quarters to near over-the-top arm slot, allowing him to get good plane on his pitches. Particularly impressive is his balance through his delivery and the extension he gets toward home plate at pitch release.Saturday Mapes flashed a 3-pitch repertoire featuring a 88-91mph fastball (touching 93 twice) with some intriguing sinking movement and control within the strike zone. In addition he showed a 75-79mph slider/slurve possessing sweeping, 10-to-4 movement away from right-handed hitters. Finally he threw an 82-84mph changeup showing quality arm speed and arm-side tumbling action – interestingly Mapes threw the changeup to righties as often as to lefties, perhaps indicating his confidence in the pitch. He needs additional experience and refinement, but Mapes has the potential for three fringe-average to average offerings.One must begin by crediting the Washington Nationals’ scouting and development staff for finding a player with such a impressive frame, delivery and potential for 3 average pitches on Day 3 of the MLB Draft. Mapes reminds me of another Nationals pitcher Craig Stammen, another later round selection who pounds the strike zone, repeats his delivery and forces hitters to hit ground balls due to the sink on his fastball. In fact, I would put Mapes ceiling as Stammen, a valuable middle reliever capable of throwing 80+ innings per season and inducing a healthy amount of ground ball outs.Due to his draft pedigree Mapes will need to succeed at each level to continue his ascent through the minor leagues. He still faces long odds, but I would not bet against him carving out a career in the major leagues. Tyler Mapes is definitely a sleeper name in the farm system and someone to remember going forward.
